Palmer out, Raiders go all in with Flynn

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The Oakland Raiders are changing directions at quarterback once again.

The Raiders acquired Seattle Seahawks backup Matt Flynn on Monday for draft picks, bringing an end to Carson Palmer's brief tenure as starter in Oakland even before they are done paying the steep price they dealt to acquire him.

“Matt's one of those guys, even though he hasn't had a lot of opportunities, when he's had those opportunities, he's made the most out of those chances,” Raiders coach Dennis Allen said. “We feel real good about that, and feel real good about getting a young prospect at quarterback.”

Oakland will send a fifth-round pick in 2014 and a conditional pick in 2015 to Seattle. Flynn will compete with Terrelle Pryor for the starting job with Palmer on his way out.

Fox Sports reported the former USC and Santa Margarita standout was expected to be dealt to Arizona for a draft pick. The Raiders traded a 2012 first-round draft pick and 2013 second-rounder to Cincinnati for Palmer during the 2011 season.

Cornerback DeAngelo Hall is back with the Washington Redskins, reportedly agreeing to a more affordable one-year contract after being cut for salary cap reasons three weeks ago. The contract is said to be worth approximately $2 million in 2013, a considerable drop-off from the $7.5 million in salary he would have made under his previous contract.

The Indianapolis Colts agreed to terms with free agent receiver Darrius Heyward-Bey, a former Raider.

Colt McCoy will start over as a backup in San Francisco. McCoy, who became expendable when the Cleveland Browns signed veteran free agent quarterback Jason Campbell last week, was traded to the San Francisco 49ers for two draft picks.

The Arizona Cardinals released quarterback John Skelton, who started 17 games for the team over the past three seasons.

The Jacksonville Jaguars released veteran defensive tackle C.J. Mosley. Mosley spent the last three seasons with the Jaguars, starting 15 games and recording 136 tackles.

COLLEGES: Rush investigated for targeting Miller

Pac-12 coordinator of basketball officials and former NBA referee Ed Rush was investigated by the Pac-12 for comments made about Arizona coach Sean Miller in meetings that included several Pac-12 referees, CBS Sports reported.

Rush reportedly told a group of referees on the Thursday of the Pac-12 Tournament that he would give them $5,000 or a trip to Cancun, Mexico, if they either “rang him up” or “ran him,” meaning hit Miller with a technical or toss him out of the game.

Former Minnesota coach Tubby Smith reportedly agreed to terms with Texas Tech to be its next coach.

Missouri men's basketball coach Frank Haith joined the Miami-driven effort to throw out a pending infractions case that largely relies on testimony by a convicted felon and has been ridiculed for the mistakes of NCAA investigators. Attorney Wally Bley said that Haith filed his own legal motion asking the NCAA to dismiss its case against the Tigers coach, joining the University of Miami and three former assistant coaches who have made similar requests.

University of Denver hockey coach George Gwozdecky left the program he led to two NCAA championships during his 19-year tenure. The school said a national search for his successor has begun.

Former Toledo coach Bob Nichols, the Mid-American Conference record holder for men's basketball coaching victories, died at age 82.

North Carolina State freshman guard Rodney Purvis said he plans to transfer. The school granted Purvis a release to transfer to any school outside the ACC except Missouri and Cincinnati, which the program plans to add to its nonconference schedule.

Western Kentucky and new football coach Bobby Petrino will be switching leagues after his first season with the Hilltoppers. Conference USA Commissioner Britton Banowsky said WKU will officially join the league July 1, 2014.

Alabama will hold a public memorial service for former Athletic Director Mal Moore. The university said the “Celebration of Life” will be held Thursday.

BITS & PIECES: Ba's goal lifts Chelsea in FA Cup quarterfinal

Demba Ba sent Chelsea into the FA Cup semifinals with a 1-0 victory over Manchester United in London.

The quarterfinal replay was decided four minutes into the second half when Ba hooked the ball over goalkeeper David De Gea to set up a meeting with Manchester City.

Australian rider Simon Gerrans won the first stage of the Tour of Basque Country with a sprint finish, edging Peter Velits of Slovakia and Angel Vicioso of Spain in Elgoibar, Spain.

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